Plant-Insect Interactions

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to and survey of the major areas of plant-insect interactions. This course explores how plant traits facilitate or deter insect behavior and development, chemical and structural counter-adaption and co-evolution, and how insects can benefit or adversely affect plant growth and survival. We will consider how plant-insect interactions influence insect population dynamics and plant community ecology. We will also investigate the effect of environmental quality on plant-insect interactions. Undergraduate and graduate students who complete the course will also be introduced to new tools and approaches in studying plant-insect interactions at the molecular level utilizing transcriptome data. Undergraduate students who complete the course will have a firm grounding in these areas. They will be prepared for other upper-division or graduate courses in plant biology and entomology. In addition, these students will gain enough knowledge in this area to be able to read and understand primary literature. Upon completion of this course, students will: (1) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of plant morphology and chemistry as they relate to plant-insect interactions, including plant biochemistry and insect perception semiochemicals, plant protective phytohormone cascades, and plant-induced resistance. (2) Demonstrate intermediate knowledge and understanding of insect morphology, physiology, and behavior as it pertains to plant-insect interactions, including insect diversity, specialization, physiological adaptations, and protection against plant-induced defenses. (3) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of interactions between plants, insects, microbial pathogens, parasites, and endophytes. (4) Recognize key evolutionary adaptations of plants and insects in co-evolutionary relationships. (5) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biotic and abiotic factors affecting plant-insect interactions, herbivore activity as it pertains to the recycling of nutrients in ecosystems, and how small and large scale geographic variability can affect herbivore diversity.